Court Upholds Public Process in Nuclear Plant Safety 'Exemptions'

Source: Environment News Service

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission must permit public participation in decisions about exempting nuclear power plants from federal regulations or explain to the public why it will not do so, following a ruling by a federal appeals court this week.

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The appeals court ruled in a case brought by Richard Brodsky, a former New York State Assemblyman representing Westchester County who is currently a senior fellow at the progressive think tank Demos in New York City and at the NYU Wagner School for Public Service.

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Brodsky and the other plaintiffs are calling the ruling “a substantial victory,” pointing out that “there are hundreds, if not thousands, of such secret “exemptions” at Indian Point and at other reactors across the country which have weakened or evaded safety and health requirements.”

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The plaintiffs expressed their appreciation for the intervention of then New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, whose early concern about this issue was noted by the court in its ruling.